Three Fianna Fáil TDs call on Taoiseach to 'immediately' release presidential election review
Willie O’Dea, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, and Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher said the 'continued leaking' of the report is damaging Fianna Fáil.
Three longstanding Fianna Fáil TDs have “insisted” that the party and Taoiseach Micheál Martin “immediately” release the long-awaited presidential election review.
Willie O’Dea, former Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, and Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher have said that the parliamentary party needs to read the report in full before a parliamentary party this week.
The report, examining the party’s disastrous presidential election campaign and the decision to pick former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin as its candidate, is expected to be discussed this week by the party.
However, frustrated TDs and senators have not been told when a meeting to discuss the review will be held.
Mr O’Dea, Mr Ó Fearghaíl and Mr Gallagher said the “continued leaking” of the report is damaging Fianna Fáil, and that the issue must be dealt with ahead of the party’s centenary next year.
“Members of the party, particularly Oireachtas members, deserve transparency and respect,” the three TDs said.
“We thank our colleagues for their work on this report. They devoted considerable time and effort to the task of examining how and why the presidential campaign went so badly wrong.
“TDs and senators must now be given adequate time to read the report in full, to reflect on its conclusions, and to discuss its implications for the future of the party at a special Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting. We need a frank and informed discussion.
“The continued leaking of material from the report is damaging Fianna Fáil’s reputation with the public and our supporters. The leaks have undermined trust across the party. These leaks are unacceptable.
“The leaks point to a lack of candour within Fianna Fáil. This lack of candour contributed to the current debacle and seriously weakened confidence in our internal decision-making. Accountability is now essential if we are to restore trust and credibility.
“We must not allow this ongoing controversy to overshadow the historic milestone that is Fianna Fáil’s centenary. The public expects better from us. We insist that the full report be published now, without any delay. Then the facts can be faced squarely, and responsibility accepted.
“Then Fianna Fáil move forward with unity, and purpose and commence its second century of service to the Irish people.”
The party’s review into the election is expected to be shared with the parliamentary party on either Tuesday or Wednesday. However, there is growing frustration within the party that no details have been given to TDs and senators about a “special” meeting.
Mr Gavin withdrew from the election in October after failing to tell Fianna Fáil that he did not repay a tenant’s rent overpayments worth €3,300 in 2008.
As first reported by the , Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers was contacted by a parliamentary party member on September 8, the day before Mr Gavin was selected as a candidate, pointing out there may be an issue with a tenant.
The review, which runs to just under 30 pages, will also show how the Taoiseach’s chief of staff, Deirdre Gillane, was told on September 5 that an issue may exist with a former tenant.
A spokesperson for Fianna Fáil described the “telephone call on September 5” as “speculative and non-specific in nature”.
The was told by some members of the party that there was speculation that the Taoiseach had "cleared his diary" for Tuesday afternoon. However, a party spokesperson said that it would "never discuss the Taoiseach's diary".
When asked if there would be a parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, the spokesperson said: "We don't facilitate the PP meetings."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
